Polish World Cup star tips Zurawski to weave magic in Germany

The Poles kick off their seventh World Cup finals against Ecuador tonight and legendary striker Zbigniew Boniek has earmarked the Glasgow-based star as the man to bring the good times back.

Zurawski joined the Hoops for 2.2 million last summer and has proven a big hit after a slow start - scoring 16 goals in 22 matches in the title-winning campaign.

And Boniek - who bagged 24 goals in 80 internationals and was the driving force behind the Poles' third-placed finish in 1982 - has singled out the 29-year-old forward as a key factor.

"Zurawski is now a complete player," said the former Juventus hit-man.

"It's about time Poland had a big name to make people sit up and take notice and I think we've found him in Zurawski. He can score goals and he would score them anywhere, even in the Italian league. It's in his blood."

The Poles didn't advance from the group stage in Japan and South Korea four years ago - with Zurawski failing to score.

But this time around much more is expected from the player, who netted seven times in qualifying - with his form in the Scottish Premier League since leaving Wisla Krakow increasing his reputation in his homeland.

Poland will follow up tonight's clash in Gelsenkirchen with an intriguing match-up against hosts Germany before facing Costa Rica.

Zurawski, who is joined in the Polish squad by Celtic goalkeeper Artur Boruc,

said: "I don't have a problem playing as a lone striker. After a year with Celtic I'm used to running a lot more.

You have to run and run in Scotland and with our new system - using five men in midfield - I now have to do that for the national team as well."

Zurawski has scored 15 goals for Poland and is confident of adding to that tally against Ecuador.

"Ecuador are clearly a team within our reach and if we play as well as we are capable of I think we will win," he added.

Meanwhile, former Hibs wing-back Ulises de la Cruz - who left for Aston Villa in 2002 - is champing at the bit as his country prepare for their second World Cup.

"In Ecuador the expectation is not too big," said the 32-year-old.

"We know Costa Rica very well and Germany and Poland are good teams, but we've got a great chance of getting through."